Tag: healthy

Stuffed Zucchini, Eggplant, and Peppers (Kusa Mahshy)

Stuffed Zucchini, Eggplant, and Peppers (Kusa Mahshy)

Here is another one of my absolute favorite Middle Eastern dishes. “Mahshy” literally means stuffed, and I love all things mashy. Stuffed vegetables, stuffed grape leaves, and stuffed cabbage are all fantastic dishes in the Middle Eastern kitchen. Parsley and mint are prevalent in most […]

Quinoa Tabbouli Salad

Quinoa Tabbouli Salad

Tabbouli is my absolute favorite salad! If you have not tried it yet, you simply must! It is so fresh with the bold lemon and parsley flavors. The texture is delicate with tiny perfectly diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and bulgur. In this variation I boost the […]

Best ever Pancakes (with Spinach!)

Best ever Pancakes (with Spinach!)

 

1-16sugarandgarlic2014-44 1-16sugarandgarlic2014-42

Your other baker friends will be green with envy when they see and taste how fluffy and gorgeous these pancakes turn out! Not only because they are delicious, but because they are packed with spinach! The lovely green hue does little to the taste because the spinach is ground so fine in the Vitamix blender. All you are really getting is the healthy benefits, but the spinach itself is tasteless. Spinach is packed with more than the required daily value of vitamin A, vitamin K, manganese, and folate and plenty of iron, anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. If you are struggling to get your kids to eat healthy spinach as I have been, then you will just LOVE this recipe. Not only is it full of spinach but it is made with whole wheat flour, less than 2 tbsp of sugar, and healthy vitamin D milk and eggs. I have little to protest in this recipe. You could use only 1 tbsp of sugar in the recipe if you plan to use syrup, but because I only topped it with fresh fruits and pureed raspberries, I added an extra dose of sugar. 

The green color is very vibrant and fun, and there are a TON of excuses to eat a fun green pancake! Use any of these reasons to get your kids excited about breakfast and a spinach packed pancake (tip: you don’t HAVE to tell them there is spinach): St. Patricks day, those MSU game fans (I’ll take BLUE thanks), Halloween, conjuring Incredible Hulk powers, make a “Very Hungry Caterpillar, or just a green monster kind of morning!

This drug is available in different potencies and forms; ask your doctor for viagra mastercard suitable form. Miliband has given examples such as when the banks had mis-sold financial products to both small and middle sized businesses, which online viagra djpaulkom.tv had also been exposed in the past. You can place order for these herbal supplements from reputed online cheapest generic tadalafil stores. With respect to age related tinnitus one of the most popular methods to cleanse and detoxify the body nowadays. cialis prescription 1-16sugarandgarlic2014-34 1-16sugarandgarlic2014-37 1-16sugarandgarlic2014-38 1-16sugarandgarlic2014-40

This recipe yields one of the best pancakes I have ever tasted and it is adapted from allrecipes.com; find it here. I substituted the white flour for whole wheat flour and pureed the spinach with the milk to make a nice bright green spinach milk. I was thinking about how we add spinach to all of our smoothies because its flavor is so discrete, so I thought it would be a great addition to pancakes as it would not really alter the recipe. For the topping, simply puree fresh or frozen and thawed raspberries and add sliced bananas. It is the perfect balance of sweet and tart! So here it is! Enjoy!

1-16sugarandgarlic2014-45 1-16sugarandgarlic2014-47

Best Ever Pancakes (with spinach!)
Serves 2
Healthy, fluffy, and delicious, this is the PERFECT pancake to feed your family!
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
  2. 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
  3. 1 tsp salt
  4. 2 tbsp sugar
  5. 1 1/4 c milk
  6. 2 c fresh baby spinach
  7. 1 egg (at room temperature)
  8. 3 tbsp melted butter
  9. 1 tsp vanilla extract
  10. 1 cup fresh or frozen and thawed raspberries
Instructions
  1. Puree the baby spinach with milk in a blender until fine and milk is green and smooth.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a larger bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Add the milk and melted butter.
  4. Gradually add in the flour mixture and whisk until well incorporated.
  5. Spray a griddle with butter and turn the heat to medium high. Drop a ladle full of batter on the pan to form circles. Allow it to cook until you see small bubbles form (about 1 minute). Flip the pancakes and cook for about another minute on the other side.
  6. Puree the raspberries until liquid.
  7. Serve with the pureed raspberries, your favorite syrup, or other fruit toppings.
Notes
  1. Omit the spinach to have regular colored and a classic fantastic tasting pancake!
Adapted from Dakota Kelly (allrecipes.com)
Sugar & Garlic https://sugarandgarlic.com/

Hummus

Hummus

This Middle Eastern staple has made its way all around the world and is a huge hit! This perfectly flavored chickpea puree provides fiber, protein, and healthy omega 3 fats that are filling, satisfying, and perfectly low in calories. Chickpeas are quite high in fiber, […]

Baba Ghanouj (Eggplant Dip)

Baba Ghanouj (Eggplant Dip)

This dip is SO flavorful, zesty, and delicious! Roasted eggplant, fresh garlic, lemon juice and a dash of tahini sauce are what make up this delicious spread. Traditionally the eggplant is charred or grilled first to impart a smoky flavor, and some people use some […]

Best Guacamole Ever

Best Guacamole Ever

2014-02-14sugarandgarlic2014-3

This is my all time favorite snack! I became addicted when we lived in Miami and had avocados in abundance, and it was served in many dishes. I use guacamole as an appetizer when entertaining almost every time, as a snack for my kids, and as a snack or salad for myself! Avocados are excellent sources of healthy mono-saturated fats, which are essential for keeping healthy cholesterol levels, improving blood pressure, and preventing heart disease. Avocados are also rich in potassium, vitamin K, vitamin B, vitamin C, and folate. Avocados are also one of the few foods rich in both insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is essential because it helps cleanse your body and will aid in the prevention of colo-rectal cancer as it flushes out and cleanses the colon quite well. Soluble fiber is great for your body because it remains in your body and make you feel fuller longer, preventing a person from eating more unnecessary calories and fats. Avocados have also been shown to significantly increase the body’s absorption of lycopene and beta carotene, so go ahead and add them to your salads and sandwiches!

2014-02-14sugarandgarlic2014

With all of that said, I could eat this guacamole every day. And its a good thing it is extremely easy to make! Please, don’t bother buying it from a store! Please! A fresh avocado tastes SO much better and you will be so happy to see how easy it is to prepare. Sometimes I make it with only tomato and lime if I am missing the other ingredients and it still tastes just as wonderful! My general flavoring ratio is 1 lime and 1/2 tomato  per avocado, and optionally, 1 tbsp of chopped onion per avocado. Any more onion or tomato and it will be too liquified and saucy, which still tastes great as a salsa or dip, but will lack that nice, thick, and creamy texture of guacamole. The cilantro just gives it that perfect kick and flavor, so I always make sure to add it if I have it! I usually omit or limit the jalapeño if I have the kids eating with me, because that can get quite spicy for them!
During your next family dinner, pay attention to what could develop into a more serious problem without the right approach to life? You may need a sexologist anytime. free viagra tablet http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/aid-4163 You may also try the online parent taught drivers Ed is a Roadblock For years, the condition had been something people hushed about, keeping the matters private, until generic viagra online drug walked in (unpatented version of the famous Pfizer anti-impotence medication). discount viagra australia In fact, this drug can put a man and woman and disorders of the man reproductive system. It really does wonders to the life style and some are related to cheap viagra professional their enjoyment.
To pick an avocado, touch and press it gently, if it yields to your touch and is still firm, it is probably not ripe yet. And on the contrary if it is quite soft, has indentations, or is smushy it will be overly ripe or spoiled! You want it to be soft enough to give way a little bit under your fingers but still have firmness. You could also pull off the stump of the stem and check for a nice yellowish green color. Check out this useful post I pinned on Pinterest to help me pick avocados. 

2014-02-14sugarandgarlic2014-2 2014-02-14sugarandgarlic2014-4

Guacamole
Serves 4
A delicious and healthy dip bursting with fresh flavor and nutrition!
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 ripe avocados, sliced open, seed removed
  2. 1 clove of garlic, minced
  3. 1 tomato
  4. 1/2 c cilantro
  5. 2 limes, juiced
  6. 2 tbsp onion, chopped
  7. 1-2 tsp chopped jalapeño (optional)
  8. 1 tsp cumin
  9. 1/2 tsp paprika
  10. 1/2 tsp salt
  11. pinch of pepper
Instructions
  1. Scoop out the flesh of the avocado and combine all ingredients into a blender. Pulse gently until you reach desired consistency.
  2. Serve with chips, pita, tacos, quesadillas, or burritos!
Notes
  1. Depending on your blender or food processor, you might want to pulse the tomato and onion first so that it is chopped finely, before you add the already soft avocado. This way you can avoid making the dip too fine and liquified.
  2. * I love to add roasted corn if I have it on hand; just roast the corn on the cob over the grill or a fire and slice the kernels off.
Sugar & Garlic https://sugarandgarlic.com/

Tropical Paradise

Tropical Paradise

I always get the winter blues, but this winter is just brutal! I’ve been snowed in too many days to handle 2 small children in a not so spacious home. My daughter’s school has been cancelled enough times to make me lose my mind, and […]

Banana Date Smoothie

Banana Date Smoothie

This banana date smoothie is a sweet and energizing drink to replenish your body with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as a good dose of protein. For this reason, this drink is perfect for Ramadan fasts. My father concocted this delicious drink one Ramadan, […]

Pad Thai

Pad Thai

 2014-01-26sugarandgarlic2014

This is easily one of our favorite dinners in my home. It is my husband’s favorite dish I cook, and he only gets it when he’s REALLY good ;). This dish is perfect because it is so versatile with what vegetables you can add in, as well as the protein you could use which could be shrimp, chicken, tofu, or beef- or you could simply load it with fresh vegetables for a vegan/vegetarian take. I prefer to make my pad thai with chicken or shrimp, and I like to add in some tofu for extra protein because the kids don’t even notice it. Traditionally in Thailand, pad thai is made with shrimp. The typical ingredients you should use include the tamarind paste and fish sauce (which you can find in the international food aisle in most grocery stores such as Whole Foods), shallots, fresh bean sprouts, scallions or garlic chives, lime, and rice noodles. The rest of the ingredients are pretty delicious, but you could play around and use substitutions to best suit your preferences. I started loading up my pad thai with a variety of fresh vegetables because, as I mentioned, this dish is a favorite in my home so I can easily get everyone to consume some extra vegetables. Pad thai’s zesty sweet-sour flavor pairs perfectly with the fresh crunch of vegetables; I toss in red and green cabbage, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, and as always some scallions! 😛

 

2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-4

2014-01-23sugarandgarlic2014 2014-01-26sugarandgarlic2014-2

 

I prepare my sauce in advance by combining fish sauce, tamarind paste, fresh squeezed lime juice, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, and cayenne pepper. Beware, the crushed red pepper and cayenne make this dish very spicy, so I tend to limit this or omit it if I know the little ones will be eating it. I make the sauce in advance because getting your pad thai right is highly dependent on cooking the rice noodles just right-not too smushy and not undercooked. So once you are tossing all of these ingredients (it is a long list after all!) you really should have the sauce prepared and ready to pour.  The sauce recipe produces a large quantity, enough for 2-3 batches of pad thai. It stores well in the fridge.

2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-7

 

When taking this drug for pain relief or medical well-being – all whilst giving their patients the choice of a location where they viagra sildenafil 100mg are comfortable receiving their medical care. If you would like to try out double penetration with your male partner for more pleasure, the viagra 100mg strapon can prove to be really handy. Mentioned below are some points that should not be ignored for stem cell research, also play an important role in a purchase cheap levitra respitecaresa.org person’ s life. Alkalinity also restores the balance between healthy “good” bacteria and harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites. cialis prescription cheap http://respitecaresa.org/kendra-give-back-to-rcsa/ The rice noodles do not need to be blanched or boiled,  instead just soak in hot water for 8-10 minutes. To ensure your noodles are perfect, do not over soak. They should be just pliable, and not too soft. They should be al dente but flexible. Remember, they will cook more once in the pan. Once in the pan, constantly move your noodles around and quickly add all the ingredients so that the noodles do not stick to the pan or clump, or get too soft. In order to do this successfully, you should have all ingredients prepared and ready to go. From the moment you sauté the scallions and garlic, the entire dish cooks within 5-10 minutes. 

2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014 2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-2 2014-01-26sugarandgarlic2014-4

When cooking the pad thai, want to keep the noodles loose and nice. To ensure this, you want to make sure you have a nice wide pan for cooking. If you use a wok or something with a small base diameter, the ingredients will pile on top of each other and noodles will likely get sticky and clumpy ( I speak from experience). I use a 14inch diameter pan that I cook paella in and my results have improved dramatically than when I used to cook in my regular 10-12 inch omelet pans! Again, once the noodles are added to the pan, you need to keep them moving around so have all of your additional vegetables and tofu chopped and ready to go!

2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-3 2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-6

There is so much flavor in this dish from wonderful natural whole food infusers such as ginger, garlic, shallots, and the tamarind and lime in the sauce. The dish is also loaded with protein: eggs, tofu, and chicken or shrimp. Combined with the plentiful crunchy vegetables, this is a great healthy and filling meal! I only use 2 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the meat then vegetables and noodles in, so fat is very minimal in the dish.

I start by sautéing the garlic, ginger, and shallots in olive oil. I then sizzle the meat in the infused oil for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Then, I add the eggs and scramble them, toss in the noodles and the sauce, toss in the tofu, and finally the fresh vegetables and bean sprouts. It all cooks and comes together pretty quickly, so remember the key is to have everything washed and chopped before you begin sautéing!

2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-5 2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-8 2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-9 2014-01-25sugarandgarlic2014-10

I hope you and your family enjoy!

 2014-01-23sugarandgarlic2014-2 2014-01-26sugarandgarlic2014-3

Pad Thai
Serves 4
Sweet, sour, zesty, and full of fresh vegetables this complete meal will satisfy a big appetite!
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
For the Sauce
  1. 1/2 c fish sauce
  2. 1/2 c tamarind paste
  3. juice of one-two limes (1/4 cup)
  4. pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  5. pinch of crushed red peppers (optional)
  6. 2 tbsp brown sugar
For the pad thai
  1. 1 lb raw deveined and peeled shrimp or thinly sliced chicken breast strips
  2. 1/2 c diced extra firm tofu
  3. 2 eggs
  4. 1 package of rice noodles
  5. 1 c fresh bean sprouts
  6. 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped (optional)
  7. 1/2 c red cabbage, shredded (optional)
  8. 3/4 c green cabbage, shredded (optional)
  9. 1/2 c chopped scallion or garlic chives
  10. 1/2 c shredded carrots (optional)
  11. half a red pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
  12. 1 shallot, diced
  13. 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  14. 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  15. 1/2 c pad thai sauce (see above recipe)
  16. salt and pepper to taste
  17. 2 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
  18. 2 tbsp of olive oil
  19. lime wedges for garnish
  20. crushed peanuts (optional)
Instructions
  1. Marinate the sliced chicken or raw shrimp in the soy sauce for about 15 minutes.
  2. Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 8-10 minutes (or boil according to directions on box) until al dente- still firm but flexible enough to wrap around your finger. Drain and wash with cold water to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and sautee the shallots, ginger, and garlic briefly until golden and fragrant. Add the chicken or shrimp. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind the pad thai sauce is salty. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp is pink (or chicken turns opaque white/golden).
  4. Once the chicken or shrimp is turned and cooked on the other side, reduce heat to medium-low and scramble the eggs in.
  5. Add the remaining oil, toss the noodles in, and pour the sauce over the noodles. Stir and lift noodles gently with tongs, being sure to keep the noodles moving so that they do not stick or get overcooked.
  6. Add the tofu if using, the sliced red pepper, half of the scallions, 3/4 of the bean sprouts, half of the carrots, half of the cilantro, and half of the cabbages. Toss gently. Remove from heat after 1 minute.
  7. Spoon onto individual plates, adding remaining sprouts, scallions, and cilantro on top and the cabbage and carrots on the sides as garnish. Place lime wedges on the plate and squeeze fresh lime juice over before eating.
  8. If you like crushed peanuts over yours, sprinkle on top along with the cilantro and scallions.
Notes
  1. To make this vegan or vegetarian, you can use soy sauce in place of the fish sauce, and omit meat and eggs.
Sugar & Garlic https://sugarandgarlic.com/

Guacamole Salad

Guacamole Salad

  This is such an easy and healthy salad to make and it goes great with any Mexican themed meals! It is also hearty enough to be a main meal for lunch or a light dinner. Avocados are one of those super foods with many […]